The Front Line
Our communal blog featuring the latest in Civil War news, research, analysis, and events from a network of historians and authors
Published: 12/31/18
New Year’s Eve in Camp
Read the poignant reflections of Union officer William Thompson Lusk in a letter to his sister written on New Year's Eve 1862.
Published: 12/17/18
Emancipation on Stage
Megan Kate Nelson discusses the play Ben Butler by playwright Richard Strand and staged by Portland Stage.
Published: 12/9/18
The Best Civil War Books of 2018
Civil War historians pick their two favorite books published in 2018, and name a title or two they’re looking forward to seeing in print.
Published: 12/3/18
Interview: Emerging Scholars at American Civil War Museum
Learn about The American Civil War Museum's Emerging Scholars program, a way for new voices to shape our understanding of the Civil War era.
Published: 11/12/18
“A Lady of Excellent Worth”
Learn about Amanda Gardner's bravery in helping Union soldiers during their captivity at Castle Morgan prison in Cahaba, Alabama.
Published: 10/8/18
Interview: Animatronic Lincoln at Lincoln Memorial Shrine
Explore the animatronic Lincoln at California's Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Discover the exhibit's story and its impressive features.
Published: 7/30/18
“Martyrs” to Their Cause: John Brown, Edmund Ruffin, and Harpers Ferry
Dive into the stories of John Brown and Edmund Ruffin and their impact on the fight against slavery.
Published: 7/2/18
The Best Gettysburg Books
What are the best books on the Battle of Gettysburg? We asked a handful of Civil War historians for their picks.
Published: 6/25/18
Whither Public History?
A veteran public historian assesses the state of popular interest in the American Civil War.
Published: 5/2/18
Battlefield Echoes: MOPs, MOEs, and Chancellorsville
Library of Congress Kurz & Allison’s depiction of the Battle of Chancellorsville In the aftermath of his army’s defeat at Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee welcomed a brother of Secretary...
Published: 4/20/18
The Best Civil War Books of 2017
It’s time again for our annual roundup of the year’s best Civil War titles. As usual, we’ve enlisted the help of a handful of Civil War historians and enthusiasts, avid...
Published: 4/6/18
Beyond the White Man’s Iliad
The removal of Robert E. Lee’s statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, is one of the best known examples of opposition to Confederate monuments.
Published: 3/17/18
St. Patrick’s Day in the Army
A look at St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the Union army through Lieutenant Josiah Marshall Favill's firsthand observations.
Published: 3/16/18
Extra Voices: Tobacco
Explore the historical use of tobacco during the Civil War through first-person accounts from Union and Confederate troops.
Published: 3/9/18
The Eisenhower Farm during the Battle of Gettysburg
Discover the history of Eisenhower Farm during Gettysburg, where President Eisenhower envisioned a tranquil life after military service.
Published: 2/23/18
The West’s Missing War
When I sat down to watch the new Netflix miniseries Godless, a Western set in 1885 New Mexico, I was curious to see whether any Civil War veterans would show...
Published: 2/2/18
A Story from the Trenches
Read Union surgeon John Gardner Perry's letter detailing a tragic incident involving a young lieutenant at Petersburg.
Published: 1/19/18
Close Calls at Beaver Dam Creek
Discover the historical significance of the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek through the personal letter of Private Oliver Willcox Norton.